WA DNR News

After more than a decade of hard work and collaboration between a diverse group of stakeholders, Blanchard Forest has reached a significant milestone.

About 100 people gathered on top of Blanchard Mountain on Sunday despite the chilly rains of early fall along the Salish Sea to celebrate turning the final corner in the Blanchard Forest Strategy, a plan that includes the concept of conserving a 1,600-acre portion of Blanchard Forest.

Washington State Commissioner of Public lands Hilary Franz, never one to have her spirits dampened by the weather, bounded up to Samish Overlook offering hugs and congratulations to the shivering groups of stakeholders gathered atop the mountain to celebrate.

After more than a decade of careful planning and collaboration, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), its partners and supportive members of the Legislature secured a total of $16.5 million, enough to fully implement the Blanchard Forest Strategy. The money is being used to acquire replacement lands for the core zone so DNR can continue to meet its fiduciary requirements.

“We now have something, through your hard, tireless work, to pass on to our children—and I don’t just mean this unbelievable mountain,” Commissioner Franz said. “I mean the vision that you can maintain this mountain and tell this story.”

The original Blanchard Committee began in 2006 and have spent the past 12 years working on this project. The committee came to the table on behalf of Blanchard and its beneficiaries for years, putting in the work to achieve a unique strategic plan.

In 2008, the committee completed the Blanchard Forest Strategy and the plan, which includes the concept of conserving the core zone, went into action. The committee included interest groups like Conservation Northwest, community members in Skagit County, industrial forest managers, Backcountry Horsemen of Washington, Skagit Land Trust, and Pacific Northwest Trail Association to reach this milestone.

It was a long road, but conservationists, the timber industry, outdoor recreationists, and the county that relies on state timber revenue were united in realizing the vision for Blanchard Mountain.

Washington State Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz addresses a crowd at Samish Overlook during the Sept. 16th Blanchard Celebration. Photo by Sarah Dettmer

None of this would have been possible without key supporters in the legislature throwing in their support for the project.  Franz said she is grateful for the support of the legislators like Senator David Frockt, Senator Kevin Ranker, Representative Steve Tharinger, and Representative Jeff Morris who fought to get DNR funding to acquire replacement lands.

DNR has already used $4.5 million in legislative appropriations to purchase about 920 acres of nearby forestland from willing private sellers.  DNR, in partnership with the Blanchard Committee, is busy purchasing and transferring lands with the remaining $12 million of available funding in order to complete the acquisition of replacement lands for the core zone.

DNR continues to seek additional forest lands to provide timber revenue for Skagit County and other local services, including the Burlington-Edison School District.

As the Commissioner delivered her thanks to the crowd, the rain took a brief pause and the San Juan Islands appeared through the mist beyond the Samish Overlook.

“This area represents what is so amazing about Washington State,” Commissioner Franz said. “You’ve got the mountains, you’ve got the Salish Sea, you’ve got our unbelievable islands, our working forest, and our old-growth forest right here reminding us that we’re some of the most fortunate human beings to be able to live and grace this landscape and call this place home.”

About Blanchard

Blanchard Forest is a 4,800-acre forest in Skagit County managed by DNR. It is located on the southern end of the Chuckanut Range, north of the City of Burlington. The forest is state trust land that DNR manages to generate revenue to support Skagit County public services. A Discover Pass is required to visit the area.

It’s a popular spot for hiking, biking, horseback riding, hang gliding and paragliding. The forest also produces timber that generates revenue for beneficiaries such as Skagit County, the Burlington-Edison School District, Skagit County Road Department, Medic One, the Port of Skagit, and United General Hospital.

Wednesday, Washington State Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz and California Secretary for Natural Resources John Laird announced plans to collaborate on forest resilience and carbon sequestration opportunities across the western seaboard.

The announcement came during the 2018 Global Climate Action Summit where Franz and Laird are representing, respectively, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources and California Natural Resources Agency.

“Forest health, wildfire, and climate are intrinsically linked. As leaders on these issues, we see a role for our states to learn from each other and develop innovative solutions to our shared challenges,” said Commissioner Franz. “We can and will make our communities, lands and waters more resilient, strengthening our economies and environment in the face of climate change.”

“Our states face many of the same challenges – a changing climate, tree mortality, and forests that lack resiliency,” said Secretary Laird. “Exploring how we work better and faster on these issues benefits not only Californians and Washingtonians, but other states and provinces as well.”

The collaboration between Washington and California involves seven principles:

1. Share and explore innovations in fuel management methods, including prescribed and managed fire, pre-fire management, post-fire restoration, post-treatment monitoring and evaluation, tools and equipment, best practices, and technology to mitigate and lessen the negative effects of increased wildfires and tree mortality.
2. Share and explore innovations in climate-informed reforestation, including strategies for climate-adapted species, genotypes, planting techniques, and ongoing management needs.
3. Share and explore approaches to evaluate and account for changes in forest carbon over time.
4. Share and explore advances in forest-related science and data collection to better understand how forests are responding to changes in climatic conditions.
5. Share and explore innovations in low-carbon emitting, or carbon sequestering, utilization of harvested wood products removed from the forest through timber management or fuels reduction activities.
6. Share and explore incentive mechanisms to reduce conversion of forestland to non-forest uses and promote carbon-rich, climate resilient forests.
7. Share and explore opportunities for investments in natural and working lands that increase carbon sequestration, enhance forest resilience, encourage multi-benefit forest uses, and support natural resource dependent communities.

The Global Climate Action Summit began Wednesday and runs through Sept. 14 in San Francisco, CA.

The McLane Creek Trail was bustling with activity on Friday morning – though it wasn’t the typical slew of hikers, dog-walkers and bikers heading out for a morning jaunt among the trees.

Instead, crews from the Washington Department of Natural Resources and Roger’s Tree Service solemnly gathered to see the safe removal of a beloved maple tree. The tree is recognized by recreationists as a meeting spot near the beginning of the trail by the visitor’s kiosk.

The towering 80-year-old bigleaf maple has long been a landmark for visitors to the 100,000-acre Capitol Forest and a welcoming steward to the miles of trails beyond its roots. However, the old tree fell victim to tree rot and needed to be removed for safety.

“This was everyone’s meeting place,” Phil Wolff, recreation manager for Capitol Forest said. “It sets the stage when you’re walking up here.”

“We already had about half a dozen people trying to come here (to recreate) before 8 a.m.,” Craig Mitchell, DNR recreation forester, added.

The trail is scheduled to reopen on Saturday morning.

McLane Creek was temporarily closed while the crews worked, using funds from purchased Discover Passes to take the tree down piece by piece and stack the lumber into neat piles.

Wolff said he had been keeping an eye on the massive tree for fear that it might have to come down after a weighty branch broke away and crashed to the ground a month ago.

The bigleaf maple near the visitor’s kiosk at McLane Creek had a large branch break off last month. Crews determined the 80-year-old tree was becoming a danger to the high volume of people that come to McLane Creek to recreate. Photo by Sarah Dettmer

“I was worried about it even before that,” Wolff said. “This maple had multiple stems and these trees catch water in the crotch of those stems and eventually rot.”

The scar from the incident a month ago gave crews a peak into the inner workings of the tree. What they saw wasn’t good.

“There is a lot of decay and rot and it creates safety concerns for hikers,” Roger Dilworth, owner and operator of Roger’s Tree Service, said. “It’s unfortunately just a bad situation.”

Wolff said he’s amazed that the bigleaf maple has lasted for almost 80 years. Hardwoods typically don’t live as long as conifer trees, which can remain standing tall long after they’re dead.

Hardwood trees are weighed down by heavy branches and leaves. It’s not uncommon for them to break in high winds or even the under their own weight. This maple lasted for almost eight decades until it eventually surpassed the level of acceptable risk for such a high-trafficked area.

But even though the tree no longer stands at the head of McLane Creek, it will continue to live on in Capitol Forest. Volunteers from the Native Plant Society have plans to repurpose the salvageable wood from the tree to rehabilitate old trails and construct natural blockades to discourage visitors from straying from established trails.

McLane Creek draws hundreds of people each fall to its banks to watch the salmon as they dance beneath the water and search for mates. This event has caused some social trails, unofficial trails that can cause erosion and harm to sensitive vegetation, to appear. Rather than putting up more signs, Wolff said lumber from this tree will help create natural blockades to keep people on designated paths through the forest.

Roger Dilworth, owner and operator of Roger’s Tree Service, uses a chainsaw to remove sections of timber from an 80-year-old maple tree near Mclane Creek in Capitol Forest. Photo by Sarah Dettmer

Wolff and Mitchell watched in reverence as the final bows of the bigleaf maple toppled to the ground and were sorted into piles.

“It’s too bad,” they said. But the tree’s tenure in Capitol Forest is far from over.

For information on visiting McLane Creek and Capital State Forest, visit http://www.dnr.wa.gov/Capitol.

An era is ending at the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. After a very productive 38-year career Tim Walsh is retiring Friday from the Washington Geological Survey. It seems like a long time to us, but to geologists, 38 years is a standard rounding error.

Tim Walsh began his career at DNR in 1980 as a project geologist for the Survey mapping and assessing coal resources in Washington. Shortly after his hire, Tim flew a reconnaissance flight to observe smoke coming from Mount St. Helens. The small plane carrying the California native could barely top the mountain’s then 9,677-foot elevation. Had he waited a couple months, he could have easily circled the peak, as the May 18, 1980 eruption took 1,314 feet off Mount St. Helens’ top.

In the mid-1980s, he transitioned into mapping geologic quadrangles, including seven 1:100,000-scale quadrangles and the 1:250,000-scale quadrant map of southwest Washington.

Tsunami hazard map of the Elliott Bay area, Seattle, Washington Modeled tsunami inundation from a Seattle fault earthquake Walsh, T. J.; Titov, V. V.; Venturato, A. J.; Mofjeld, H. O.; Gonzalez, F. I., 2003, Open File Report 2003-14, scale:1:50,000

In 1988, Tim became the Chief Hazards Geologist, performing fault trench studies, geologic mapping, liquefaction analysis, and tsunami hazard mapping. During his tenure as Chief Hazards Geologist, Tim produced 14 tsunami hazard maps along with several earthquake-induced liquefaction studies in areas vulnerable to tsunamis.

He also provided technical assistance for large geological events in Washington, including the eruptions of Mount St. Helens in 1980 and 2004, the 2001 Nisqually earthquake, the storm-related landslide events of 2007 and 2009, the 2014 SR530 landslide at Oso and more recently, the 2017–2018 Rattlesnake Hills landslide.

In 2017, Tim accepted the Assistant Division Manager position for the Survey, advising the geological hazard assessment work in the Chehalis Basin, serving to bolster Resilient Washington’s efforts, and providing guidance on the Washington School Seismic Safety projects.

Tim authored or co-authored 71 Washington Geological Survey publications. He is one of the foremost voices in what we know about how Washington was formed.

We are going to miss hearing his many, many stories every day. Stories about bee attacks during field work, infamous arguments between geologists at conferences, and local geology lore for anywhere we go to do more geologic investigation.  We will also miss his old-school blue-and-yellow Powerpoint presentations that read like novels.

We will always appreciate his ability to leave his ego at the door and freely share his vast well of knowledge. He mentored many of us, and made a team of geologists better for it.

He intends to spend his retirement teaching, volunteering, traveling, and gardening. Cheers!

 

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR), under Washington State Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz, works alongside tribal sovereigns to improve conditions for salmon, mitigate the impacts of climate change, address and improve protections for cultural and natural resources, support sustainable resource economies, and address the cumulative impacts of activities on state owned landscapes. The Agency is also committed to strengthening the health and resilience of our lands and waters, restoring Puget Sound, and supporting salmon recovery.

The Department recognizes the Tribes’ separate rights and authorities and maintains government-to-government relations with the 29 recognized Indian Tribes residing in the state of Washington as well as other interested Indian Tribes outside of the state of Washington. Here are a few examples of how we’re engaging with tribes within the highest levels of our agency.

• In November of 2017, the Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians and Chairman Shawn Yanity generously co-hosted a Natural Resource Summit with DNR. Topics included aquatic issues, recreation on DNR lands, forest health, and protection of cultural resources.
• DNR is also privileged to have tribal representatives serve and advise on the Board of Geographic Names, Forest Practices Board, Teanaway Community Forest Advisory Committee and Wildland Fire Advisory Board.
• At the national level, last year DNR partnered with the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation and others for a Learning Lab on carbon sequestration in Washington DC.

Below are a few highlights from last year, recently provided for the 2018 Centennial Accord, regarding our work to ensure management of state-owned and other significant lands is done in collaboration with the federally recognized tribes of Washington State.

Orca, Salmon, and Aquatic Restoration
DNR is participating on the Southern Resident Killer Whale Task Force to identify immediate and near term actions that can be taken by DNR and others to support recovery.  DNR’s current efforts for riparian and nearshore protection of forage fish and salmon habitat directly supports Orca habitat and their prey. We also advocate for greater compliance with existing regulations that can protect Orca habitat and prey.

The past year, agency restoration efforts on state-owned aquatic and uplands improved multiple watersheds in collaboration with the Lummi Nation, Nooksack Indian Tribe, Quinault Indian Nation (photo is from Upper Quinault River restoration project), Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians, and Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation. DNR is also actively working with the Cowlitz Indian Tribe to facilitate in-stream salmon restoration projects on state trust land in the Abernathy Creek drainage.

Working with tribes to prioritize key projects, DNR removed or replaced 1,543 culverts, opening almost 800 miles of habitat to fish over the last decade. Of those 1,543 culverts, only 148 were injunction related. DNR has only two culverts remaining from the original injunction, one of which is on target for completion within the next few years.

Thoughtful Land Transactions
DNR has increased outreach and notification efforts to tribes regarding proposed land transactions to enhance transparency about land ownership changes that may impact access to cultural resources. In addition, DNR worked with the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation to transfer into tribal ownership 3 parcels/30 acres of land of tribal significance located in the floodplain of the Chehalis River.

Making State Lands and DNR Staff Available
Spending time on the land and learning together enhances understanding.

• Participants from multiple tribes participated in a root digging stick workshop at Evergreen State College Longhouse in the spring. DNR state lands archaeologists participated, providing resources and assistance.
• Tulalip Tribes held a three-day cedar harvesting event within DNR’s timber stands. Resulting cedar bark mortar boards were presented to tribal graduates. Tribal members from multiple tribes accessed DNR lands for traditional medicines and practices.
• Region staff participated in cedar bark stripping demonstration by the Quileute Tribe and a ceremony and harvest of a cedar tree for a canoe.
• State Lands staff participated in a cultural training sponsored by the Cowlitz Indian Tribe to better understand the impacts of staff decisions.

In addition, agency staff recognize that locations that provide opportunities for recreation, can also be places of cultural significance to tribes. DNR staff are actively working with tribal representatives to develop recreation opportunities that mitigate and/or eliminate impacts to these special places.

Managing Emerging Issues
DNR has worked extensively with tribal nations on emergency response activities, including the Atlantic salmon net pen collapse, the landslide at Rattlesnake Ridge and many of the wildfires that have impacted areas of cultural significance.

In addition, the State Geological Survey and the Wildfire Program make grant and resource opportunities available to tribal nations in order to strengthen tribes’ own risk management and response capabilities.

As a result of tribal concerns, improvements have also been made to the Forest Practices application and related processes. Discussions are underway to develop pilot projects to highlight and define best practices and to develop funding streams to support these.

An Ongoing Commitment
Washington’s first people have unique and rich insight into our natural environments. Countless generations have passed down wisdom of how our land’s ecology influences its culture.

The Washington State Department of Natural Resources recognizes the vital knowledge Washington’s first people have of our shared natural resources. DNR works on an ongoing basis toward collaborative relationships and good communication with Tribes in all its programs, at all levels across the agency.

Visit here for more information.

In the Ahtanum State Forest, you can find beautiful mountain vistas, canyons, and some of the best camping in eastern Washington. The forest, in Yakima County, is a 75,000-plus acre section of land managed by the Department of Natural Resources. The forest is crisscrossed by a network of roads known as the “Green Dot” road network: over 562 miles of inter-connected roads, denoted by green “dot” signs (hence the name).

Those familiar with off-highway-vehicle adventures have long considered this area a little-known haven.  But even for those of us without special equipment, there are ways to explore this beautiful part of the state. The Ahtanum vista loop (outlined in purple) is a portion of the Green Dot Road System that accommodates most standard four-wheel drive during good weather conditions – generally May to early November.

Start in historic Tampico, Washington. The Ahtanum Rd North Fork takes you along Ahtanum Creek on a paved county road. After a approximately nine miles (fifteen minutes of driving) you will arrive at the Ahtanum Meadows Campground, (bring a Discover Pass!) where you can access restrooms, scout it’s ten campsites (four are walk-in only), or enjoy a picnic before you continue on. We recommend you drive west along the A2000, where your first destination will be the Tree Phones Campground, (a third of the way along your route) which provides access to the 23-mile Grey Rock hiking trail. This trail is accessible to hikers, horseback riders, mountain bikes, motorcycles, and ATVs. As such, please be aware of multi-use trail rules, and monitor your speed.

The view from Eagle’s Nest Lookout.

Tree Phones Campsite offers 14 campsites and can accommodate up to 35-foot RVs, though size may vary by site. This site also offers restroom facilities, which you may want to take advantage of. If full, you may also consider the small Clover Flats Campground. You will pass these nine campsites on your way to Darland Mountain. Camping in any of these sites is free, as long as you display a Discover Pass.

The next stop on your journey should be the Eagle’s Nest Lookout, which offers dramatic views of Darland Mountain, Dome Peak, and the Goat Rocks Wilderness area. Be careful! The road is very steep here (12-13 percent grade). Be aware that there is a short walk between the parking area at Eagle’s Nest, and the viewpoint.

The view from Darland Mountain.

After stopping at Eagle’s Nest (and maybe eating lunch,) continue on the A2000 to Darland Mountain, which provides a stunning vista of some of the nearby mountain peaks, as well as the Ahtanum drainage area. Get back on the road, (which becomes the A3000) then loop back east toward the Meadows Campground. On the way back, a second Grey Rock trailhead can be found on the A3000.

In total, the main (purple) route is thirty-four miles long, and will take around four to five hours to complete. For a shorter excursion, try the White Ridge Loop (marked in yellow). Additionally, White’s Ridge is open to hiking and horseback riding in the summer, and snowmobiling in the winter.

Download this (very printable) map here

The easiest way to navigate these roads is by downloading the Department of Natural Resources’ mobile map for this forest by following this link: dnr.wa.gov/MobileMaps. You’ll be able to see your location in the map even though there’s no cell service. Be sure to tell someone where you’re going, especially if you are venturing out alone. Carrying a paper map and compass is always a good idea too (link to the correct map).

You will need a Discover Pass to park at all of the sites mentioned in this list, as it is required for parking on lands managed by the Department of Natural Resources.

When you’re there, be sure to spend some time in Yakima, as well. Our friends at Visit Yakima say it’s one of the few places in Central Washington where you can ski, bike, hike and golf, all in the same day. With over 120 wineries in just 70 miles, wine tasting in the Yakima Valley is certainly worth considering. Also, many of the local restaurants and eateries take full advantage of the area’s fresh produce.

There are also many options for accommodations near Yakima. Try out a downtown suite, or a quaint bed-and-breakfast. Regardless of your budget or preferences, there are several options to choose from.

Bringing together our state’s working forests and the communities and rural economies nearby is just one of the initiatives being pursued by Hilary Franz, our Commissioner of Public Lands. More information about this exciting project can be found at dnr.wa.gov/rcpi.

With over 1,000 miles of trail and 70 campgrounds statewide, Washington State Department of Natural Resources working forests and conservation areas provide expansive destination options for outdoor recreation.

If you’re the more adventurous type, the green dot road system also offers hundreds of miles of “off-road” trails, which are frequently used by off-highway vehicle owners. In Ahtanum specifically, you could go and visit Louie Way Gap, or drive by Dome Peak.

The Discover Pass provides motor vehicle access to recreation lands managed by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the Washington State Parks, and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife lands. Use your Discover Pass to explore 160-plus recreation sites managed by DNR, more than 100 state parks, 700 water access points, and hundreds of natural and wildlife areas. When you buy the Discover Pass, you’re helping to keep the state’s outdoor recreation sites open and accessible to the public.

While this is one suggestion, there are an almost limitless routes for exploring the Ahtanum forest, and the Green Dot road network at large. The Washington State Department of Natural Resources encourages you to explore our working lands, many opportunities to do so can be found here.

When a spark quickly turns into a fast-moving wildfire, our firefighters are there for us — many times in minutes.

They fly over fiery landscapes that heat up our helicopters, anywhere from 100 to 120 degrees. They dig lines around roaring fires in shifts that can last up to 16 hours. They sacrifice time with their families to work on the fireline for weeks on end.

All to safeguard our communities and protect our lands.

Firefighter at work during Cougar Creek Fire west of Entiat.

Describing the heroic efforts of our firefighters could be an infinite list, and our appreciation is so great — words sometimes don’t do it justice. Especially when we’re in the thick of our wildfire fighting efforts, like right now.

More than 3,500 firefighters are out on the landscape this August, as 12 large fires burn in Washington state. As of Aug. 23, the Department of Natural Resources responded to 1,163 fires on 300,139 acres. (For context, on a 10-year average, we respond to 1,534 fires for 170,936 acres.)

Firefighters and guardsmen take a moment to reflect on their hard work on the Sheep Creek Fire. (Image: National Guard).

While we are on a trajectory to have the most fires we’ve ever seen, we’re also on track to keep over 90 percent of fires under 10 acres — it’s a goal our firefighters have worked hard to meet through effective wildfire fighting tactics and interagency coordination.
So what exactly are those tactics?

Outlining everything our firefighters do would take a textbook to explain, but we’ve compiled some common practices to give you a look at what it’s like on the frontlines of wildfires.

Why we dig lines

To make a fire stop growing, our firefighters have to contain it. We do that by digging line — essentially a trench several feet wide — around the perimeter of the fire.

“We’re supposed to remove any fuel that could burn within the fireline,” Washington wildland firefighter Ryan Dahl explained during a training exercise earlier this year.

When a fire becomes hundreds of square miles, that’s a days-long task. Digging line also becomes more difficult in hard-to-reach landscapes.

“Some of the topography firefighters work during wildfires is challenging,” said Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz. “They’re climbing up some steep ravines, trying to hold their grip [of their tools] and draw the line.”

Firefighters use several tools to dig line: Pulaski axe, Mcleod rake, shovel, to name a few. And they swing those tools all while carrying a heavy pack full of supplies on their back and wearing protective gear. Bulldozers also work on lines.

Supervisor standing close to one of our 117 wildland fire engines, as other firefighters dig line during a training exercise.

Keep in mind, when we say a fire is “100% contained,” that doesn’t mean it’s stopped burning. It means that a barrier will keep it from spreading.

Containment is just a part of the fight. Firefighters work on other operations to control the fire, which includes mopping up — extinguishing or removing burning material — and burnout operations — cleaning up line with fire.

How we fight fire with fire

At the end of a 20-person ground crew linea firefighter with a drip torch may be working on burnout operations.

A drip torch — a canister that drops flaming fuel to the ground — is used for both burnout operations and backfires.

“We’ve coined the phrase, ‘sometimes we fight fire with fire,’” said DNR Assistant Fire Operations Manager Aaron Schmidt. “A backfire is used to alter the course of a fire, and a burnout is simply cleaning up some line.”

Firefighters go through training to learn how to safely use a drip torch.

Training and working as a team

When it comes to wildfires, we are all in this together. We kick off interagency efforts early in the summer. This is just the second year that nearly 1,200 firefighters trained at three wildfire academies to prepare for a challenging wildfire season.

This provides quality wildland fire training at no-cost to interagency firefighting partners. Each academy uses local, state and federal firefighters’ expertise to teach the courses.

“We are training all of our firefighting teams together. We believe the more we are closely working and training together, we can begin the coordination, collaboration, and communication we know we need on the fireline,” said Commissioner Franz during the Western Washington Interagency Fire Training Academy.

We’re also working to take our teamwork to the next level.

The Washington Wildland Fire Protection strategic planning process will bring together the leaders, partners, and stakeholders in wildland fire prevention, response, and community resilience to envision a new future for effective wildland fire management. View our fact sheet for the development of the WA Wildland Fire Protection Strategic Plan here.

The importance of aviation

Our air assets are crucial in our strategy for initial attack—the actions taken by the first resources to arrive at a wildfire helps to protect lives and property, and prevent further expansion of the fire.

DNR’s Wildfire Aviation is comprised of 8 UH-1H (B-205) helicopters modified for water/suppressant delivery in remote locations with the capability to deliver helitack crews into otherwise unreachable terrain. A helitack crew is a group of firefighters trained in the technical and logistical use of helicopters for fire suppression.

One of DNR’s eight UH-1H aircrafts. Often you’ll see this aircraft with a bambi bucket, dropping water over wildfires.

DNR keeps a mix of aircraft in addition to helicopters, including water scoopers like Fire Bosses and Single Engine Air Tankers (SEATs)  that can deliver up to 800 gallons of fire retardant.

Aircraft and helitack crews attempt to be in the air responding to emerging fires within five minutes. Planning is conducted in the air using satellite imagery and mobile devices. Once the team arrives on a fire, incident command is established, or reinforced with other responding air and ground resources.

“We’re an enabler to the ground crews,” said DNR Chief Pilot Dave Ritchie. “We help slow it down, so the ground firefighters can get there and put it out.”

Our crew also maintains our aircraft. Our helicopters served in Vietnam, and are some of the most well-maintained aircraft DNR’s Fire Aviation Program Manager Michael Cuthbert has seen in his career.

“The UH-1H are just the right aircraft for the job,” said Cuthbert. “Super proud of these aircraft, super proud of the guys who maintain them and the guys who actually fly them.”

Feeding the fight

Our most important resource? Our people, of course.

Firefighters burn around 6,000 calories a day. That’s how much some Olympic athletes eat. So we come prepared and take feeding our firefighters seriously.

It’s heartwarming to hear that the community wants to give back to our firefighters. And while we appreciate the sentiment, we take pride in coming prepared (and not becoming a burden to the impacted community) to feed our firefighters well. So we’re very methodical in the kitchen to make sure our firefighters get the proper nutrition. If you’re interested in helping, consider giving to a food bank or another local organization like the Red Cross.

What do firefighters have to say?

Our firefighters wake up early and work late, responding to their strong call to protect people’s homes and our state’s resources.

When you talk to firefighters about their work, they are humble about their awe-inspiring dedication.

“When I put my boots on, and my greens and yellows, I feel a sense of pride to be helping my community,” said Washington wildland firefighter Gretchen Happe.

Happe best tells her story in the video below, along with a few other firefighters working on the fireline this summer.

So what can you do while firefighters are hard at work? Practice prevention. More than 85 percent of our wildfires are human-caused. You can be one less spark, and all it takes is being wildfire aware. Learn how to prevent wildfires here.

And anyone who spots a wildfire should call 911 as soon as possible to report it.

DNR’s wildfire mission

Led by Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz, DNR is responsible for preventing and fighting wildfires on 13 million acres of private, state and tribal-owned land. DNR is the state’s largest wildfire fighting force.

Hood Canal – The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and U.S. Navy entered into an agreement that creates a “restrictive easement” along 32 miles of Hood Canal’s eastern shore.

The easement, which covers 2,481 acres of aquatic bedlands, prohibits new construction such as wharfs, piers, platforms, and structures for industrial use.

The Navy will pay DNR $342,000 for the easement, which is fair market value.

“This partnership strengthens our military preparedness and strengthens our waterways by protecting critical habitat in Hood Canal,” said Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz. “This is truly an example of mutual benefit for our navy, communities, and public waters.”

 

Supporting Our Navy

Hood Canal is a “Military Operating Area” for Naval Base Kitsap. Limiting disruption in this area is critical for Navy operations, including research, testing, and training.

“The Navy’s ability to use Hood Canal for military operations depends on reducing incompatible development and noise,” said Alan Schrader, Commanding Officer, Naval Base Kitsap. “Through this agreement, the Navy will be able to continue training and testing at Naval Base Kitsap for decades to come.”

In 2014, DNR and the Navy entered into a similar agreement to create an easement on 4,800 acres of Hood Canal’s western shore (along Jefferson County and portions of Mason County). With both easements now in place, Hood Canal is protected from further development and noise pollution that may have interfered with Navy uses.

Protecting Marine Ecosystems

The easement also benefits Washingtonians by providing new protections for sensitive marine ecosystems. All 2,4810 acres covered by the easement are designated critical habitat, including eelgrass communities and geoduck tracts.

“The Hood Canal Coalition has been involved in protecting Hood Canal for nearly 20 years. We applaud the Navy and the Department of Natural Resources for this latest collaborative effort to ensure the long-term health of this magnificent and biologically vital waterway,” said John Fabian, a retired Air Force Colonel and NASA astronaut who heads the Hood Canal Coalition.

Overview:

• The easement begins 18 feet from the shore and extends out 70 feet, covering 2,800 acres. It stretches along eastern Hood Canal from The Hood Canal Bridge to south of Chinom
• The easement if for 55-years.
• The Navy is paying DNR $342,000, which is the appraised fair market value.
• The easement does not apply to:
  • Existing structures or authorized uses, such as marinas and cable lines.
  • Recreational uses, including fishing, boating, and public access.
• The easement does not limit the installation of private recreational docks.
• This is a non-possessory easement. DNR will continue to manage these aquatic lands under its aquatic lands program.
• The Navy uses Hood Canal to test unmanned vehicles, submarine readiness, diver training, and similar activities related to undersea warfare. Explosives are not tested or placed on test units.

Manager of state aquatic lands

As steward of 2.6 million acres of state aquatic lands, DNR manages the bedlands under Puget Sound and the coast, many of Washington’s beaches, and natural lakes and navigable rivers. DNR manages these lands to ensure protection of aquatic habitat and facilitate navigation, commerce, and public access.

MEDIA NOTE: Photos, videos and other materials from today’s event are available for media use in this Google Drive.

 

Today Washington State Department of Natural Resources is opening 1.5-miles of new mountain bike trails on East Tiger Mountain, just a short drive from Seattle.

Predominantly built by volunteers with support from Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance in partnership with DNR, two new trails bring the East Tiger Mountain Bike Trail System’s total trail mileage to over 25 miles!

New mountain bike trails are popping up quick on DNR lands in the Snoqualmie Corridor, only one year after opening Inside Passage and less than three months after opening the nearby Raging River State Forest trail system, these two new trails provide additional very difficult riding opportunities on the mountain. See video of Raging River below.

One of these two new trails, N.O.T.G (Not Off-the-Grid), offers a faster descent alternative to Off-the-Grid Trail, while East Bound & Down trail provides a more easily accessible, more challenging descent option from Tiger Summit Trailhead, located off of Inside Passage Trail. See the new trail locations in our updated trail map of the East Tiger Mountain Bike Trail System.

A look at our new trail map. Part of a recreation vision for the Snoqualmie Corridor

DNR’s Snoqualmie Corridor Recreation Plan, released in March 2015, included new opportunities in East Tiger Mountain as a top priority. New trails are a result of the local input and community support that went into that planning effort. Visitors will continue to see improvements identified in the plan on the ground for the next decade.

Partial funding for these new trails was made possible through the Nonhighway & Off-road Vehicle Activities Program grant, which the Washington State Recreation & Conservation Office awarded to DNR. A mountain biker zooms through our Raging River Trail.

Sweat equity from hundreds of volunteer labor hours helped match grant funds and helped make the two additional new trails a reality.

Getting there

• From Issaquah, go east on I-90 to exit 25. Turn right onto SR-18 west. Go 4.5 miles to Tiger Summit.
• Turn right. Take Westside Road left .3 miles to the Tiger Summit Trailhead on right. Leaving the trailhead, ride out on the Connector trail.
• Cross the Main Tiger Mountain Road onto NW Timber Trail for a few hundred feet before turning left to get on the Master Link Trail, which can be used to access both trails, riding Quick Link to access N.O.T.G. and Inside Passage to access East Bound & Down.

Finding your way Before you head out, don’t forget to download our East Tiger trail map to a mobile device. Visit our website for map downloading instructions.

• Download an updated trail map here.

You can learn more about recreation on Tiger Mountain at dnr.wa.gov/Tiger.

 

Department of Natural Resources foresters, recreation managers, and recreation interest groups recently worked together to design a timber sale that contained sections of off-road vehicle trails that are part of the Walker Valley Off-Road Vehicle Area near Mount Vernon, Wa.

The goals were to design a timber sale and logging plan that both protected the trails and did not impact logging operations or timber sale revenue. To ensure success, the logging contractor was included in the pre-harvest meeting to review harvesting operations and confirm the location of designated trail crossings for logging purposes prior to starting.

After the harvest, DNR staff and recreation users walked through the area together to talk about how it went. According to Bob Langley with the Skagit Motorcycle Club, the loggers did a very good job of taking care of the trail.

Thank you to all our folks – internal and external – for working together to find the solutions that allow us to meet multiple goals.

A Fresh Look at Sustainability in Forest Management

Harvest this much. Save this type of habitat. Achieve these markers of biodiversity. Traditional approaches to forest management tend to focus on specific ecological and revenue objectives, how much land to dedicate to these objectives, and how to achieve them.

But there is something largely missing from these approaches. Us. Humans. Under traditional approaches, humans exist somewhat outside of the forested ecosystems we are managing, even as we look to the forest to meet our needs.

Yet there is a growing recognition that humans are an integral part of these systems. Consider the interactions and interdependencies of a community and the forest and streams that surround it (Figure 1). The forest needs human intervention to stay safe and healthy due to past timber harvest, fire suppression, and major environmental shifts such as climate change. And communities need the forest’s ecosystem services, which can range from timber for harvest to carbon storage, filtered water, and streams with healthy fish populations for food and recreation. Such services keep communities healthy and more likely and able to care for the forest.

Figure 1. Holistic View of Sustainability

This recognition is the basis for a sustainable forest management concept that the ONRC and its partners refer to as “rural ecosystem sustainability.” Under this concept, the forest and its communities are defined as a “rural ecosystem” and managed with strategies that benefit both. “To care for the place, you have to care for the people. And to care for the people, you have to care for the place,” says Hilary Franz, the Commissioner of Public Lands and leader of DNR, steward of over two million forested acres that touch the lives of communities across the state.

Although this concept has been documented in recent scientific literature—for example, the 2017 Island Press book People, Forests, and Change: Lessons from the Pacific Northwest described a “human-forest ecosystem”—it has not been tested at a landscape scale. That is about to change. An ambitious new study called the “Large-Scale Integrated Management Experiment” or T3 Experiment for short is being developed to test this holistic sustainability concept across thousands of acres of forest on the western Olympic Peninsula.

A Unique Study

A basic requirement for studying rural ecosystem sustainability is to define an ecosystem that contains people in the context of the surrounding land. The OESF on the western Olympic Peninsula fits this description. Defined largely along watershed lines, the OESF’s boundaries encompass over a million acres of both forestland and communities. Communities include small towns like Forks and four Native American reservations, plus farms and other businesses. Forests are managed for a range of objectives by DNR, tribes, private landowners, conservation organizations, the US Forest Service, and the National Park Service. DNR manages over 270,000 acres in the OESF on behalf of public trust beneficiaries such as counties and schools.

The T3 Experiment’s central purpose is to find a management strategy that lifts the wellbeing of the OESF’s communities and forests above what is being experienced right now.  In this study, which is co-led by the University of Washington’s ONRC and DNR, researchers will apply three management strategies and a no-action control on DNR-managed lands in 16 Type 3 watersheds in the OESF (Figure 2). DNR will define ecological and community wellbeing indicators through a collaborative process, quantify how well each strategy meets these indicators over time, and then conduct a comparative analysis to draw conclusions on which strategy improves ecological and community wellbeing the most. (Type 3 watersheds are catchments of the smallest fish-bearing streams.)

Figure 2. One of the 16 Type 3 watersheds in this study Figure 3. Timber Museum in Forks, WA. Timber harvest and management has been part of the city’s history for decades.

This is not your typical forestry study.

Forestry studies seldom include something so nebulous….subjective….and difficult to measure as community wellbeing. Elements of environment wellbeing have been studied for decades, and scientific literature abounds for how to do so. For example, many studies have measured biodiversity, productivity, regeneration capacity, and other characteristics.

But community wellbeing can be many things to many people. Jobs. Knowing one’s neighbors. Road access into the forest for recreation. Gathering places like libraries. High school seniors who stay after graduation instead of lighting out at the first opportunity.

So how do you define it?

By asking stakeholders, especially those who live in these communities. Members of the community, local tribes, environmental groups, timber company representatives, and other stakeholders will be invited to define what wellbeing means to them. They may have other opportunities to participate as well, such as workshops. Collaboration with stakeholders is an important feature of this study because there is no way to succeed without involving them, particularly members of the very communities the study is intended to benefit (Figure 3).

Another unique aspect of this study is that each strategy will be implemented through DNR’s Olympic Region timber sale program, not as separate research experiments. This is nothing but practical. “It can be difficult to translate the results of a small research study to normal timber operations,” explains Bill Wells, Coast District Manager with Olympic Region. “We have to be able to incorporate what we learn from this experiment at an operational scale.” So why not start at that scale to begin with? Study units have been sized accordingly.

In other words, researchers are not pursuing knowledge for the sake of knowledge. They want defensible results that can be used to make informed management choices. Through an adaptive management process, results may be used to improve the management of the OESF and possibly other areas DNR manages.

Ideally, results also will benefit forests and communities far beyond the boundaries of the OESF. ONRC and DNR are inviting participation in this study from other land management, academic, and scientific organizations with a major goal of collaborative learning and sharing of knowledge.

16 Watersheds, 4 Blocks, 4 Strategies

One of the first steps in this study was to select the 16 Type 3 watersheds in which the strategies would be tested. To yield meaningful results, each watershed had to be at least 500 acres, be managed mostly by DNR, include at least some older or old-growth forest, include the steep slopes that are so common across the OESF, and contain timber that was ready to harvest. Researchers and DNR managers chose watersheds within the basins of the Hoh, Clearwater, and Queets rivers.

Figure 4. DNR Olympic Region manager Mona  Griswold rolls dice to randomly assign strategies to watersheds in each block.

Researchers grouped watersheds into blocks of four based on how similar the watersheds were to each other. For example, they grouped watersheds that were at a similar elevation, were roughly the same size, and had trees of roughly the same age. Grouping watersheds this way helps to screen out nuisance factors, which are traits like elevation that can skew results and make it difficult to compare results from different watersheds.

Within each block, each watershed was assigned one of the four strategies in a way that was completely random – in this case, by rolling the dice (Figure 4). This spatial design is called a “randomized block” (Figure 5).

Within each block, each watershed will be managed under its respective strategy. Where the harvest will be and what harvest technique will be used will depend on the strategy.

Under the “plan” strategy, the watershed will be managed per the integrated management concept and harvest techniques described in the 2016 OESF Forest Land Plan. Under integrated management, most sensitive areas are managed for ecological values but are not part of fixed, permanent ecological reserves. In areas managed for revenue, DNR uses harvest techniques designed to create and maintain a structurally varied forest that can provide additional support for ecological values as well as revenue.

Integrated management is a marked contrast to the “zoned” strategy, which is widely used by the US Forest Service as well as DNR in other areas it manages. Under the zoned strategy, the watershed is divided into permanent areas or “zones” for either ecological values or timber harvest. Harvests will be located in the latter; the former will be left unmanaged. Techniques likely will be similar to the plan strategy.

The “no-action control” is not a viable management strategy for DNR under state law. However, these watersheds will provide a contrast to active management and enable researchers to understand how the forest interacts with natural disturbance in absence of management. The control strategy also reflects stakeholder interest in managing some areas as carbon sinks and using carbon payments in lieu of harvest to generate revenue. DNR is committed to leaving these four watersheds unmanaged for 10 years.

The “accelerated” strategy is similar to the plan but with one key difference: management will explore techniques and areas that are more innovative or uncertain but may offer greater benefits to both community and environment. For example, DNR may thin riparian areas to a wider spacing than is currently allowed under the plan in the hope of producing larger trees that contribute higher-quality down wood to streams. DNR also may experiment with “tethered logging,” in which logging equipment is tethered to the slope with cables. Tethered logging is more cost effective than cable logging and safer for forest workers, and may enable DNR to operate on steeper slopes than is currently feasible with ground-based equipment.

There is a general perception that the accelerated strategy may spur the most creative answers to how to boost community and environmental wellbeing (Figure 6). But will it? Time will tell.

Next Steps

The T3 Experiment is in its infancy. After discussing the study proposal with stakeholders and managers in 2016, in 2017 DNR and ONRC began collaborating with scientists from the US Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station, Oregon State University, NOAA, and other organizations to develop a draft study plan. The full study plan is being developed and will be submitted for peer review later this year. The watersheds have been selected as described earlier. Next steps include specifying experimental treatments, identifying wellbeing indicators for monitoring, and exploring funding options.

Another step is determining how to quantify community wellbeing indicators for each strategy, and how to tease out the differences between the strategies and how well they support the community. That will take creative problem solving.

However challenging and complex, this study is necessary. Rural communities in Washington and elsewhere are struggling as our demands from the forest become more complex, more numerous, and potentially more conflicting. At the same time, the forest is experiencing environmental changes such as rising temperatures and more extreme weather. We need creative, sustainable, and balanced solutions, and we need them now. This study will not only help find those solutions, but provide a model for working collaboratively to achieve a higher level of wellbeing for forest and community alike.

Figure 6. Examples of wellbeing indicators and how they might perform over a decade or longer C is the no-action control strategy, Z is zoned, P is plan, and A is accelerated. C > Z = P = A means that for CO2  sequestration, researchers think the control strategy will outperform the other three strategies, which will perform roughly the same for this indicator.

The Learning Forest is an electronic newsletter published jointly by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources and the University of Washington’s Olympic Natural Resources Center. All newsletter issues are available online. To receive this publication or to be added to the distribution list, go to our sign-up page or contact the editor at cathy.chauvin@dnr.wa.gov.

 

About the Authors

Bernard Bormann, Ph.D, is a professor at the School of Environmental and Forest Sciences College of Environment, University of Washington and Director of the ONRC. His research includes forest ecology, the role of soils in long-term productivity, and adaptive management.

Marc L. Miller, Ph.D, is a professor of Marine and Environmental Affairs and adjunct professor of Environmental and Forest Sciences at the University of Washington. His domestic and international research has concerned social and cultural change, globalization, sustainable livelihoods, natural resource and protected area governance, and outdoor recreation and tourism.

Teodora Minkova, Ph.D, is a natural resource scientist in DNR’s Forest Resources Division and an affiliate assistant professor at the University of Washington’s School of Environmental and Forest Sciences. She manages the research and monitoring program for the OESF and is one of principal investigators on the T3 Experiment.

Cathy Chauvin is a writer, editor, planner, and graphic designer for DNR. She was part of the team completing the forest land plan and related environmental documents for the OESF.

Two musicians based in the greater Seattle area are celebrating their love of the outdoors in a rather surprising way – by playing their instruments in the mountains.

As one of the state’s largest public land stewards, we’ve heard of visitors connecting with our state’s working forests and conservation areas in a lot of ways. With over 1,200 miles of trail and 70 campgrounds statewide, it’s no surprise that DNR-managed lands offer some of the most diverse ways to experience the outdoors. You can cross-country ski in the shadow of Mount Rainier, enjoy one of over 25 beachfront campsites in the San Juan Islands, test out your skills on one of our expert-only downhill-only mountain bike trails or rock climb at some of the state’s most brag-worthy destinations.

While some take a trail map or summit snack with them into the outdoors, Anastasia Allison and Rose Freeman, of the Musical Mountaineers, carry a violin and a carefully packed keyboard along with them for sunrise performances in the outdoors, intended to celebrate both their love of music and their love of the outdoors. The early morning performances are aimed at respecting leave no trace principles and finding time so their enjoyment of the outdoors doesn’t impact other visitors.

“Our intent is to share this beautiful combination of music and the wilderness with the world, but we would never do that at the expense of somebody who didn’t want to hear our music live,” Anastasia said.

The duo has performed in the North Cascades National Park, Mount Rainier National Park and this spring stopped by our Manastash Ridge near Ellensburg, which overlooks Kittitas Valley and provides a breathtaking view of the Stuart Mountain Range.

DNR manages Manastash Ridge in partnership with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, which is coordinating a trails planning process to guide recreation development and management for the system for the next 10 to 15 years.

Anastasia and Rose realized early on the impact their music was having – people from all over the world were deeply touched by the combination of music in the mountains.

“[The Manastash performance] meant a lot to the communities that saw those videos online,” Anastasia said.

As you’re out visiting one of DNR’s 160+ recreation sites this summer, you may find Anastasia and Rose celebrating one of your favorite trails. The Musical Mountaineers aren’t super easy to find though – they keep their performances brief, at sunrise and don’t promote them broadly so they don’t draw too much of a crowd.

To watch all of their wilderness concerts, you can visit their YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/themusicalmountaineers

For more information about getting outdoors in DNR working forestland and conservation areas statewide, visit dnr.wa.gov/go.

In Raymond, Wash., a lumber mill owned by the Port of Willapa Harbor sits abandoned. Piles of alder seem stuck in time after being cut and dried, but never quite making it to shipment to become the products they were intended for.

Last month, Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz made good on her promise to use the resources of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to support development solutions for rural Washingtonians when she announced this mill’s reopening as one of four initial Rural Communities Partnership Initiative efforts.

DNR is partnering with the state legislature to make a $1.4 million investment to get the mill, which closed in 2017, back up and running – maybe with the use of renewable energy.

“For too many in our rural economies, the status quo isn’t working,” said Commissioner Franz. “People are hurting, but they are resilient. And we are investing in our people.”

Phase 1: A New, Old Mill for Pacific County

DNR, in partnership with the state legislature, is granting $1.4 million for the Port of Willapa Harbor to retrofit and lease an existing mill beginning in 2019. Alder wood is versatile and a wide variety of regional businesses will be able to use the mill’s wood products. Mill retrofits will allow the mill to make use of small diameter alder wood logs, which grows well throughout the region.

“This project will have a positive impact on our community and our state,” said State Senator Dean Takko (D-Longview). “By reopening a hardwood mill, we are creating jobs and a new supply of locally-sourced wood products.”

“By reopening a hardwood mill, we are creating jobs and a new supply of locally-sourced wood products.” ~State Senator Dean Takko

Known as “New Pacific Hardwood,” this venture in Pacific County will generate an estimated 49 new jobs – in an area with the third highest unemployment rate in the state. And, each year, the mill will make spend $9.5 million to purchase logs from a variety of local landowners and generate $98,000 in taxes for public services.

“This is what rural community partnership is about – putting lumber mill workers back to work making products out of sustainably harvested trees,” said Commissioner Franz.

About DNR and Timber Lands

The agency knows a good deal about producing locally sourced timber to meet the growing need for wood products in Washington’s urban communities.

Commissioner Franz and her staff manage 3 million acres of state-owned trust lands. Much of that land is forested and managed for timber harvests, though Commissioner Franz’s management of these lands also ensures ongoing access for recreation, forested watersheds for clean water, important wildlife habitat, and wildfire protections via the state’s largest on-call fire department.

Revenue from the timber that comes from state trust lands helps fund construction of public schools statewide and supports state universities, prisons and other institutions, along with public services in many counties.

DNR timber carries SFI sustainability certification and is only sold to mills here in the United States, primarily within Washington to serve customers like you. The New Pacific Hardwood mill will have to compete for these homegrown DNR logs, just as any other mill would.

Yet, timber isn’t the only natural resources DNR has the ability to leverage. DNR resources could also supply materials for renewable energy.

Phase 2: A Port of Willapa Harbor Energy Innovation District

Center for Sustainable Infrastructure will use these funds to assist the Port to explore renewable energy options via an Energy Innovation District.

 The second part of the project will have DNR working with the Port of Willapa Harbor and Evergreen State College Center for Sustainable Infrastructure to determine the economic feasibility of an energy innovation district.

An energy innovation district would co-locate new and current assets at the Port or Willapa Harbor to allow businesses to share energy and reuse waste streams, which could attract new and existing business to locate here.

“The Port of Willapa Harbor seeks to be a conduit for economic opportunities – whether that means timber or renewable fuel sources,” said Rebecca Chaffee, Manager, Port of Willapa Harbor. “More mill jobs right away is a big deal. And, the potential of an energy innovation district – when we have ready access to wood, agricultural waste and other renewable natural resources and byproducts – is a game-changer.”

“The Port of Willapa Harbor seeks to be a conduit for economic opportunities.” ~Port of Willapa Harbor Manager Rebecca Chaffee

DNR will administer a $100,000 grant to Center for Sustainable Infrastructure for this work. Other communities with ready access to forest and agriculture resources or waste streams will be able to use this work to assess their renewable energy options, as well.

About the Rural Communities Partnership Initiative

As part of Commissioner Franz’s Rural Communities Partnership Initiative, DNR solicited economic development ideas from rural communities across the state, receiving more than 80 proposals.

“Communities know best what they need, but often lack the resources for economic initiatives. If you have a good idea, let me know,” says Franz. “Because my agency is investing in good ideas. And by investing in rural Washingtonians – by supporting community-driven economic development – we are creating lasting and sustainable opportunity.”

“Communities know best what they need, but often lack the resources for economic initiatives… by investing in rural Washingtonians – by supporting community-driven economic development – we are creating lasting and sustainable opportunity.” ~Washington State Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz

The mill is just one of the projects initially selected. More are on the horizon and the agency continues to take on new proposals.

“We’re incredibly excited to bring these projects, and more, to fruition to drive positive impacts for communities,” said Josh Wilund, DNR Senior Strategic Advisor.

According to Wilund, proposals should be for sustainable projects that offer long-term solutions, make use of renewable natural resources, maintain biodiversity, support ecological systems or provide communities with multi-generational economic opportunities.

A city council, chamber of commerce, DNR employee, county leadership, tribal government, local organization or businesses may submit projects. There is no minimum requirement, however projects should intersect with DNR’s lands and people, and be geared toward creating hard economic value in local communities.

Click to watch project video on YouTube.

 

Herbarium specimen from the University of Illinois herbarium

Oregon geranium (Geranium oreganum) is about 2 feet tall and has large bright pink or purple flowers with prominent veins on the petals (these reflect UV light and help guide bumble bees to nectar at the base of the flower, much like runway lights help pilots land an airplane at night).  Despite its size and showiness, this species has only been found once in Washington, and has not been seen again since 1936.  It is a prairie and oak woodland obligate species and is known primarily from the dry interior valley system that runs from southern British Columbia to northern California and includes the Puget Trough of Washington and Oregon’s Willamette Valley.

The last person to see this species in Washington was George Neville Jones, who at the time was a graduate student at the University of Illinois studying the Geranium species of North America.  Jones made an herbarium collection and recorded his observation in a 1943 paper in the botanical journal Rhodora, noting the specimen was deposited at “UI”.  Each major herbarium in North America has a unique two or three-letter code to identify it.  For years, no one could track down Jones’ specimen because “UI” is the code for a small herbarium in Uintah County, Utah.  Some people began to question if Jones actually made his collection in Washington and whether the species ever occurred in the state.

Last year, Washington Natural Heritage Rare Plant Botanist, Walter Fertig became

Geranium oreganum in the field (Image Creative Commons )

interested in the case of the missing Geranium.  Walter tracked down the 1943 monograph and on the first page Jones, was identified as a graduate of the University of Illinois.  Walter recalls, “It then occurred to me that “UI” was not the code for the Uintah County herbarium, but probably stood for the University of Illinois.  I searched some online databases but was unable to find the Jones specimen.”  Undeterred, Walter emailed David Seigler, the collections manager of the University of Illinois herbarium and asked if he could find the specimen.  Seigler wrote back with double good news: not only did he find the errant collection, but he sent a digital photograph of the specimen.  The label clearly indicates it came from “Mill Plain, Clark County, Washington”.  The image also is of sufficient quality that the specimen can be positively identified as Geranium oreganum.

Mystery solved … except no one has relocated Oregon geranium in Washington since Jones’ time!  If you are exploring wet prairie sites in Cowlitz, Clark, or Lewis counties, keep an eye out for a tall, showy, pink-flowered geranium – it might just be the mystery geranium!

It takes all kinds of help to plant trees in celebration of Arbor Day. Photo: Linden Lampman/DNR

“If fall is the best time to plant trees in Washington, why is Arbor Day celebrated in the spring?”

This question comes up often, so let’s break it down.

Arbor Day was founded by Nebraska farmer and statesman, J. Sterling Morton. The very first Arbor Day was celebrated in Nebraska on April, 10, 1872. In 1885, the Nebraska State legislature recognized Arbor Day as an official state holiday to be annually observed on April 22nd, J. Sterling Morton’s birthday.

In 1957 The Washington State Legislature passed a law designating the official Washington State Arbor Day as the second Wednesday in April, which this year is April 11. Today, the national Arbor Day is commonly celebrated on the last Friday in April, which this year is April 27.

So why spring? It is probably because, to an agriculturalist like Mr. Morton, spring is when farmers planted all of their crops. In their view, why should trees be any different?

Spring is the peak season for rainfall to naturally irrigate anything newly planted in states like Nebraska and many others throughout the eastern and central United States. Many of these states also receive periodic rains from summer thunderstorms that help trees get through the hottest months of the year.

It is also believed by some horticultural experts east of the Rockies that certain species of trees, including Oaks, Ginkgos, Dogwoods, Birches, Hornbeams, and Yellowwoods, among others, have lower mortality rates when planted in spring versus fall. Whether that thinking applies to Washington State, I can’t say that I know for sure…

What I do know is that our environmental conditions are a little different here.

East of the Cascades, communities receive anywhere from 8-20 inches per year, primarily between November and January. Pair this with prolonged periods of hot, dry weather in summer and I think you can see why planting trees in fall is preferred.

On the west side, our waterworks turn on in mid-September and don’t quit until early May. Our summers are mild but it rains almost never between June and August. Once again, these conditions point to fall as a better time to plant trees.

So why do most Tree City USA communities in Washington celebrate Arbor Day and plant trees in April? I’m assuming it is mostly tradition, but just because fall is preferred doesn’t mean that spring is off limits.

The most important thing is to properly mulch and water your trees for the first year after planting, and then at least through the summers for the next year or two following. If your tree gets enough water then it can survive and establish itself no matter when, or where you planted it.

Here are some additional links to thoughts on spring versus fall planting:

Iowa State University, Fall Planting of Trees and Shrubs

Oregon State University, Fall is Good Time to Plant or Move and Replant Perennials, Shrubs or Trees

Garden Myths, Best Time To Plant Trees

Originally published in the April Tree Link Newsletter.

Fire district funding available for radio communication equipment.

DNR is now soliciting applications from fire protection service providers to fund projects for radio communication equipment and wildfire risk reduction activities, including education and outreach, technical assistance, fuel mitigation and other residential risk reduction measures.

Fire protection service providers include fire departments, fire districts, emergency management services and regional fire protection service authorities.

We are only accepting projects located in counties east of the crest of the Cascade mountain range that share a common border with Canada and have a population of 100,000 or less are eligible (Ferry, Okanogan, Pend Oreille and Stevens counties).

DNR will prioritize funding to fire protection service providers within these counties that:

• Serve a disproportionately higher percentage of low-income residents as defined in RCW 84.36.042, and
• Are located within areas of higher wildfire risk, and
• Have a shortage of reliable equipment and resources

Learn more about the grant and how to apply at DNR’s Fire District Assistance webpage.

 

Click to watch our video on DNR’s partnership with the Forest Management Learning Laboratory.

The plan is just one piece of one of the first four community partnerships announced by Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz to leverage resources of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to support development solutions for rural Washingtonians.

 

The Rural Communities Partnership Initiative

As part of Commissioner Franz’s Rural Communities Partnership Initiative, DNR solicited ideas from rural communities across the state. The agency received more than 80 proposals. The Forest Management Learning Laboratory is one of the initial projects selected and was announced earlier this month.

“Communities know best what they need, but often lack the resources for economic initiatives. If you have a good idea, let me know. Because my agency is investing in good ideas.” Said Commissioner Franz. “By investing in rural Washingtonians – by supporting community-driven economic development – we are creating lasting and sustainable opportunity.”

“By investing in rural Washingtonians – by supporting community-driven economic development – we are creating lasting and sustainable opportunity.” ~ Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz

The Forest Management Learning Laboratory

The Kalama School District is partnering with DNR to connect students with forestry careers by managing a 32-acre forest adjacent to the district’s middle-high School. Additional partners span industry, higher education and state agencies, including: RSG Forest Products, Green River College, the Pacific Education Institute, AWC Center for Quality Communities, Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, and the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

“We’re very excited about the Rural Communities Partnership Initiative, as it will not only bring industry expertise into our program, but it will be one more opportunity for students to see how their learning about science relates to the real world and careers in fields related to natural resources,” said Kalama School District Superintendent Eric Nerison. “The program also helps to leverage the local expertise through partners like RSG Forest Products. We’re looking forward to seeing the learning opportunities and partnerships continue to grow as a result of the program.”

“We’re very excited about the Rural Communities Partnership Initiative … it will be one more opportunity for students to see how their learning about science relates to the real world and careers in fields related to natural resources.” ~ Kalama School District Superintendent Eric Nerison

For example, students – working with DNR staff – will develop a harvest schedule for their adjacent 32-acre forest – a practical application of their knowledge that can lead to a career.

About DNR

It’s a particularly poignant project for the Department. Under the guidance of the Commissioner, DNR manages 3 million acres of state-owned trust lands. Revenue from state trust lands – much of them forested – helps fund construction of public schools statewide and supports state universities along with other public services.

A Natural Resources Career Path

DNR staff will pull from their professional networks to bring additional expertise into the “classroom” too. And, to further connect the 18-20 annual student participants to natural resource education experiences, DNR staff will share with the students information on the Washington Conservation Corps, DNR job shadowing, and DNR college internships.

DNR and other timber interests can have difficulty recruiting for forest management jobs in this area and similar regions. Each year, DNR recruited for 260 temporary and permanent positions in this region alone. State and private forestry professions are a way for future generations to stay and give back to the rural communities where they grew up.

“We want to create natural resource aspirations in these students,” said Commissioner Franz. “Working in the forest – whether building a forest road or laying out a timber sale – is not the kind of work you see glamorized in the media.

“But these professional positions are critical to both a solid rural economy and our agency. We want students to know they don’t have to leave the lands they love to have a fulfilling career.”

“We want to create natural resource aspirations in these students … they don’t have to leave the lands they love to have a fulfilling career.” ~ Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz

A DNR outreach and education survey will further inform agency involvement in the Forest Management Learning Laboratory, which could be replicated in other schools who wish to pursue education experiences around our state’s natural resources.

Commissioner Franz and DNR’s management of state lands ensures ongoing access for recreation, forested watersheds for clean water and wildlife habitat – all important things for local communities. In addition, she and her staff oversee the state’s geologic information, forest health, forest rules, 94 natural areas and wildfire protection via the state’s largest on-call fire department.

An Ongoing Initiative

Commissioner Franz will make additional Rural Communities Partnership Initiative project announcements in the near future says DNR Senior Strategic Advisor Josh Wilund, who is administering the program.

“By investing in rural communities, the Department of Natural Resources is building, expanding, and maximizing relationships,” said Wilund. “We’re incredibly excited to bring this and more projects to fruition, and drive positive impacts for communities.”

The agency is well positioned to do so – literally – as DNR is present within every county across Washington.

 

It takes all kinds of help to plant trees in celebration of Arbor Day. Photo: Linden Lampman/DNR

Arbor Day is a celebration of trees and all the great things they do for us here in the Evergreen State. Washington State Arbor Day is always celebrated on the second Wednesday in April, and this year, April 11 is proclaimed Arbor Day by Governor Jay Inslee.

 

However, Arbor Day is more than just a celebration of trees. It’s a celebration of responsible natural resource management.

 

Salmon streams that DNR protects in native forestlands flow out of the foothills, across the landscape and ultimately through one or more of Washington’s cities. Urban areas are where streams, shellfish beds and fragile nearshore habitats are most threatened by stormwater runoff, erosion and sedimentation, toxic pollutants, low oxygen levels and climate fluctuations.

 

Trees, however, are erosion reducers, pollution mitigators, water purifiers, climate stabilizers and carbon sinks. The practice of forestry in cities offers practical, low-cost, natural resource-based solutions to many environmental problems that affect our daily lives in Washington. Planting a tree in a city is an act of restoration. Caring for urban trees is an act of stewardship. Cultivating an urban forest is natural resource management.

 

Sixty percent of Washingtonians live in an incorporated municipality, and approximately 90 percent of the state’s population lives in an area identified as “urban” by the 2010 census. There are 91 Tree City USA Communities in Washington and nearly 50 percent of Washington’s population lives in a Tree City USA.

 

Tree City USA is a national award from the Arbor Day Foundation that recognizes cities and towns for making a commitment to plant, protect and maintain their trees. At DNR we celebrate Arbor Day in partnership with local communities across the state that have earned the Tree City USA® award. Find out if your city is a Tree City USA, as there may be special programs to celebrate trees in your community this month.

 

If your city isn’t part of the Tree City USA Program, contact your city officials to help them plan Arbor Day celebrations next year. Sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the US Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters, Tree City USA® provides technical assistance and national recognition for urban and community forestry programs in thousands of towns and cities.

 

But you don’t have to live in a Tree City to celebrate Arbor Day. Many cities and towns provide opportunities for the public to help plant trees, pull invasive weeds or clean-up parklands during the spring season. Contact your city officials to find out what they have going on.

Imbed a Video

Here is a quick guide on how to imbed a video anywhere in your blog post.  The WordPress support link for this is at the bottom as well.

1. Find the URL of the video you would like to use

2. Paste that URL where you want the video to appear on the blog post

3. Delink the URL.    This is done by placing the cursor at the end of the hyperlink and pressing backspace.  You will be able to tell if this works if the hyperlink goes from blue/purple text to the plain black of the other text on the page.  This action should not delete any of the letters in the URL.

4.Enter the phrase “youtube=” attached to the front of the URL.

5. Place brackets [ or ] at either end.

6. Hit preview to make sure it works.

7. Now you have a stellar blog post!

Example of finished imbedded link

check this out!

here is the link to the support site

http://codex.wordpress.org/Embeds

at the bottom are all the sites we can imbed videos from.

 

Make a clickable image

Images inserted into blog posts can be made “clickable” so people can see the full-size image.

1. Upload your image as usual to the blog (up to 1200 pixels wide suggested if it’s one you want people to be able to enlarge)
2. Select one of the default sizes and the alignment for display in the blog as usual

NEW STUFF

3. After the image is inserted, go to your blog in edit mode and click on the image to reveal the image editing tool (shown in yellow below)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. Click on the little pencil image and the “Image Details” screen will pop up (as shown below).  Click the arrow next to “Link To” and select “Media File” (circled)

Your image’s URL (in the WordPress library) should automatically appear in the box.
Then click the blue Update button in the lower right.
NOTE: The “Size” selections menu (just above “Link To”) affect the display within the blog, so just use one of the presets—‘large’ in this particular case

OPTIONAL: add “CLICK image to enlarge”  or something like that to the caption.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See the “Heading to the water?” blog for an example of the final product.

https://washingtondnr.wordpress.com/2015/05/06/heading-to-the-water-know-these-safety-tips/

Washington is rich in natural resources, and I’m investing in ways to make sure those assets are serving the communities they surround. This month, my team and I announced a $3.5 million funding package for our first crop of projects that will create dozens of new jobs and preserve hundreds more.

Through our Rural Communities Partnership Initiative, we’re securing funding to re-open an alder mill in Raymond, help oyster growers manage burrowing shrimp in Pacific County, build a facility in Ilwaco to remove and recycle derelict vessels, and train a new generation of natural resource workers in Kalama.

We’re working with several other communities across Washington to launch similar partnerships. Stay tuned and share your ideas for boosting our state’s rural communities at dnr.wa.gov/rcpi. See more in our video to the right.